Thames Valley Police use mobile app to help solve crimes

Thames Valley Police has begun using a mobile phone app in a bid to solve some low-level crimes.

The Facewatch app contains images of people police would like to speak to in connection with offences in the hope that someone will identify them.

Officers upload the images to the free app, which can be used on any smartphone, and users can submit information to police.

The app is already used by Hampshire Constabulary and West Midlands Police.

Ch Insp Colleen Lavery, of Thames Valley Police, said: "If they [users] recognise anyone they can choose to submit information, in confidence or openly, via their smartphone directly to the police by clicking 'identify'."